FATIMA K.B. NEWS : Tribute to Fr. Tavennac

Saturday 3 November 2012

Tribute to Fr. Tavennac

The 'new' church being built by Fr. Tavennac from 1964-65

The 22^nd of July 2007 saw the passing of a man, small in stature, but a giant in the hearts of one particular family from the sleepy old hollow that was Kota Bharu in the 60’s. A man who made a huge impact on the Bates family in our time of need, both in emotional as well as financial support. A pillar of strength, who carried us through a time of great hardship and despair, Fr. Jean Tavennac.

My name is Stanley Bates. I was born in Kota Bharu in 1961, the last born of a family of eight.
My father, Bradley, had been afflicted with a debilitating illness for most of his adult life, which resulted in him being unable to provide for the family adequately, especially towards the later part of his short life. The eldest was a boy of only 15 when he passed away. But for the intervention of our personal guardian angel, only the Lord knows what would have become of us.

Fr. Tavennac was priest, provider, entertainer, excursion planner, driver, de facto father and confidant all rolled into one, for us as well as countless other families in our tiny little parish. Although I was too little to remember his many good deeds and exploits, my siblings have many amusing and heart-lifting memories of him. Nothing was more delightful than to see the little nose of his beat-up Volkswagen beetle bumping up and down the dirt track leading to our house. There was always some little goodie tucked away somewhere in the bags of provisions that he would invariably bring along, courtesy of the American Food Aid programme, and whatever cash he could spare. Sometimes there would be powdered milk, cheese, flour or those small multi-coloured wafers that we kids loved so much. There was also an occasion when he brought a whole trunkful of ice cream cups left over from a party. It goes without saying that they were a melted, gooey mess by the time we got our hand on it, but enjoy it we did, just the same!

He was a lover of good food, and fond of the outdoors too. Other than the many church excursions to the waterfall and the beach, he would sometimes pile us all into his little car for some little outing; I’m told I fitted in the tiny compartment behind the rear passenger seats! And if you remember how bad the roads were back in those days, and the reputation of French drivers, it must have made quite a memorable ride!

In the days when the parish was in its infancy, he lived in a small house next to the chapel (now the Sisters’ home). Never was his door closed, and you could drop by any time with any request and find a welcome ear. He also doubled as Sunday school teacher, after catechism, he would pile all those who needed rides into his car to send us all home. Such were the multiple roles of our favourite priest.

Fr. Tavennac was transferred out of Kota Bharu in 1968. We had not then the means to visit him for many years. I next saw him in Cameron Highlands in the mid-80’s, where he lived and served the remaining years of his very fruitful life. I met up with him several more times over the years, as have several other members of our family. He would always proudly show us the medal presented to him by the President of France in recognition of his service to society.

He also had a profound and direct effect on my life, as I was supposed to have been given up for adoption. Only his intervention and that of my eldest sister, then only a little girl of 11, prevented it from happening.

The Bates family salutes you and says THANK YOU, FR, TAVENNAC. Your kindness, love and support not only carried us through a difficult time in our lives, but your fine example has made a lasting impression on all of us, and shaped our Christian lives and values to last a lifetime.